Pages

Praise

“Many
textbooks, including my own, carefully describe social work and what
social workers do. Few of these books, however, capture art and heart
required when applying the knowledge, values,
and skills of this important profession. Ogden Rogers, in Beginnings, Middles, & Ends: Sideways Stories on the Art & Soul of Social Work,
provides a masterful complement to the existing texts. Although usually
not labeled as such, in each of his stories
a critical value, principle, or guideline for social work practice is
illustrated. My thought after reading each story was, “Yes!!! That is
what social work is all about.” Further, Rogers’ unabashed enthusiasm
for this profession is indeed a welcome addition
to the social work literature.”

Bradford W. Sheafor, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, Colorado State University

“As someone near the end of
a long career in social work and social work education, I found the stories of
Ogden Rogers in his collection, Beginnings.
Middles, and Ends, to reflect so much of my own experience that I literally
moved back and forth between tears of soulful recognition and laugh-out-loud
moments of wonderful remembrances. There
is something truthful and powerful about the artist who is willing to put a
masterpiece together and leave the telltale signs of failed attempts.Too many who reflect on their past do so to
minimize imperfection, setting standards unreachable by others.Ogden Rogers has charted a course of
professionalism that encourages creativity, allowing for errors, and guided by
honest reflection and dedication to those whom he would serve.This read is a gift to all, whether they are
starting or ending their journey of service to others.”

Terry L. Singer, Ph.D., Dean, Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville

“I found the stories humorous, sometimes painful, and incredibly honest and real. There is really nothing else out in our literature that is quite like this. It reminds me of when we teach the art and science of social work practice—this is the art.”

“...a profound piece of creative literature that will reinstill idealism within senior social workers who are on the threshold of being cynical about their work.”

Stephen M. Marson, Ph.D., Professor, University of North Carolina Pembroke

"Beginnings, Middles, and Ends by Ogden W. Rogers is a thought-provoking
book about the evolution of the author's career in the field of social
work. The real life stories are whimsical as well as enlightening. You
follow the yellow brick road of a social work career and feel the
passion and dedication that is required of those who are engaged in the
social work profession. What I learned from the various stories in the
book is that a dedicated passionate social worker is first and
foremost a change agent. Advocacy at all levels is the key to what all
effective social workers do in order to promote that 'more perfect
union.' A great read for anyone entering the profession, or if you are
involved and feel your passion flickering, this book will surely
re-ignite your love."

Mildred "Mit" Joyner, MSW, LCSW

Emerita Director and Professor of Social Work

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

“Recommended reading for new social workers, experienced
social workers, friends and families of social workers, and future social
workers because of the variety of anecdotal case presentations and personal
perceptions. Truly open and honest portrayals of social work and the helping professions
with touching, easy-to-read entries fit within the beginning, middle, and
ending framework. This book is suggested for both public and academic
libraries to support the career services and/or professional development
collections.”

"The great success of
dogs as a species is their capacity to live in a relationship with
humans that is centered on ambiguous communication. With the insight and style of
opening sentences like this one, a reader can be sure that the book in
hand is not generic. In fact, this compilation of 99 wise stories and
parables based on over two decades of social work in a variety of
settings is virtually
sui generis—a unique work."

Marshall Toman, Ph.D., Professor, Chair, Department of English

University of Wisconsin—River Falls

"Social
workers who need some self care (and that's all of us)—shell out the $20 and get this book. You won't regret it!
Even if you don't know Dr. Rogers, you'll get to know him in Beginnings, Middles, and Ends. Entertaining and even a little educational. It's a
good read."

Candace Larocque, BSW, LSW

"A most enjoyable and inspiring reading about life as a social worker."

DorleeM, Social Work Career Development blog

"Seasoned or more experienced social workers will be nodding their heads
and smiling while remembering their own beginnings in the field. Social
work students will see the book as a wonderful learning opportunity and
get an idea of what lies ahead, and those relatively new to the
profession will ‘see’ or ‘be’ a mixture of the two."

Victoria Brewster, Social Justice Solutions

"What emerges from this book is
not a How-To guide for best practices but a complex, nuanced and masterful
understanding of the 'art and soul' of the helping process. As Rodgers points
out, the book meanders “sideways” as the title suggests, with realizations that
occur 'in some little (or big) moment in life when you thought you were doing
one thing, but you ended up learning another.'What we learn are not eternal truths but ways of seeing and engaging
others that affirm their self-worth and dignity, and the moxey we need for our
own ethical and professional survival, in both the mundane and most trying of
circumstances.Every social work student
should read this book for the wisdom it will provide them, and every veteran
social worker should for the resonant chords it will strike."